Physical therapy student appreciates the support that scholarship provides

By Kate Hunger

Pauline Castro is soaking up every minute as a third-year physical therapy student, finding daily opportunities to learn from mistakes and grow. 

When asked what she is focusing on in her final year, Castro doesn't hesitate. 

"Building upon my skills, confidence, and learning to accept whatever mistakes I make in the clinic and learning to be better from them," she said. "Every day is a learning experience."

Staying positive in key, said Castro, who is currently in an outpatient orthopedic rotation setting, her first of three rotations.

"Try to relate to the patient and show them you have a compassionate spirit and care for them to get better," she said, describing her approach.

Originally from New Jersey, Castro moved in 2002 to the Rio Grande Valley, where she attended high school and undergraduate school. Castro moved to San Antonio in 2015 to begin her graduate studies in physical therapy, and she hopes to build her career in the Alamo City. 

Castro received the Barnett Endowment Scholarship in Physical Therapy in 2016. The scholarship supports students in their first or second year of the physical therapy program and was established to honor Duane Barnett, M.D., retired general surgeon and father of Julie Barnett, PT, D.P.T., MTC, assistant professor of physical therapy department. 

Scholarship support has made a difference for Castro from her years as an undergraduate and through her graduate studies. 

"To have any help as a student, I am grateful for it," she said of the award.